Expression
In May 2024, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) reported that writer and online activist Mohammed Ali Bakhit (Abu Ali Al-Barami) was acquitted of the charges against him and released.
Al-Barami is a well-known writer in Oman. Among the books he has written is “Men from Dhofar,” a valuable book that deals with the biography and lives of men from the core of the Omani Dhofar community.
His account on X reads, “Freedom…justice…pride…dignity are not just flashy words and slogans.” On 28th February 2024, he posted the following tweet next to a picture of the Minister of Economy: “He is not fit to be a minister.”
He also uses his Facebook account to express his personal opinions about public affairs. On 3rd March 2024, he made the following remark about news stating that Oman is one of the Gulf countries that produces the most fish resources: “What is the joy of this news?! We have a National Fish Company that has been afflicted with scabies and mutism for more than 30 years despite… providing all the reasons for success!!”
On 7th March 2024, security forces in the city of Salalah, the administrative and commercial centre of Dhofar Governorate, arbitrarily arrested and detained him incommunicado at an unknown location.
Local reports confirmed that he was detained in one of the prisons affiliated with the Special Division of the Omani Police Command in Dhofar Governorate. The Special Division is the executive arm of the Internal Security Service that issued the arrest warrant for him.
On 30th March 2024, the Court of First Instance in Salalah acquitted him of charges of allegedly distorting the government’s image, directing insulting criticism at its ministers, and charges relating to the personal opinions he published on social media networks.